(Newser)
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John Isner, at 6 feet 9 inches the second-tallest player on the ATP tour, can serve a tennis ball upwards of 140mph. Although even professionals can have trouble returning such a bullet (Isner has won a set off Roger Federer) ESPN columnist Patrick Hruby (admittedly "beyond terrible" at tennis) decided to put himself in the line of fire.

First, Hruby got advice from someone who has beaten Isner. "With his height and wingspan, the trajectory is just so weird," Somdev Devvarman said. "You have absolutely no idea where he's going on any serve." Decked out in padded gear but lacking a cup, Hruby ultimately decided to concentrate on protecting himself rather than returning Isner's serve.